The highly-anticipated opening of the Child Creativity Lab in Orange County is officially here. Earlier this month, the non-profit organization opened the first venue in Orange County to provide reusable materials for artists, teachers, community organizations and families.

The resource center is going to make a huge impact on our community by helping to keep reclaimed and reusable resources from filling our precious landfills. Materials include unique and clean manufacturing scraps, a variety of colorful fabrics and textiles, paper goods, decorations, coffee bean burlap sacks, school supplies, picture frame moldings, and many other items that can be repurposed for educational projects, arts and craft supplies, home décor and DIY needs.

Because of the organization’s focus on hands-on science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) education, the Depot for Creative Reuse also provides pre-packaged STEM-Based Challenge Kits that support the continued engagement and enrichment of STEM fields in our youth.

Through grants and fundraising contributions, the Child Creativity Lab offers a limited number of Materials Scholarships to distribute these materials free of charge to educators, afterschool providers, and other community programs serving underprivileged children.

Teachers, parents, and local businesses are invited to use this valuable resource center. Many teachers use their personal funds to help purchase supplies for their classrooms, and now they have the Child Creativity Lab to help with providing educational supplies.

The resource center is located at 1815 E. Wilshire Avenue, Suite 906 in Santa Ana, California.

The depot is one of its kind in the old industrial area of eastern Santa Ana, said Tony Napoli, an ambassador for the Santa Ana Chamber of Commerce.

“There’s a number of charities but not a lot of art,” Napoli said. “And I’m so impressed they’re introducing this to kids.”

Open Monday through Saturday, the Depot plans to have classes twice a week, Chang said.

Brea resident Avery Yerkish, 11, who attended the grand opening with her sister and mother, was busy at work selecting materials from jars to make a wind chime.